Dear Media’s Summer Soirée Essentials

Sponsored by Macy’s

Summer parties are where the best stories happen—those moments that turn into the anecdotes you’ll be telling years later. When we asked our team at Dear Media what they consider essential for creating those perfectly imperfect gatherings, the responses ranged from an emphatic “water, period” to a surprisingly detailed pitch for a camel ride station (more on that later).

What came through wasn’t just a shopping list, but a philosophy: the best summer entertaining happens when you focus on bringing people together and let the magic unfold naturally. The right products and thoughtful details don’t make the party—they just create the conditions for genuine connection and those unexpected moments of joy that make every gathering feel special.

Here’s what our team actually swears by, from the practical essentials to the surprisingly game-changing details.

What the Dear Media Team Actually Uses to Host Summer Parties

1. Start with the foundation.

A Decent Speaker
Nothing kills a vibe faster than bad audio—says the media and podcast network. Multiple team members flagged this as essential, with Mackenzie Price, a Dear Media video creator, noting that she’s tired of hearing songs “blastin’ with a crackly aaahhhh sound.” Good music sets the entire mood, but it’s only as effective as what’s playing it through.

Proper Glassware
There’s something about drinking from real glasses that instantly elevates the experience. The specific recommendation: these margarita glasses from Macy’s, which make even basic cocktails feel more special.

Accessible Water Station
Josh Guillaume, director of production operations and studios, points out that while hosts are mostly thinking about cocktails and wines, they sometimes forget about the most basic form of hydration: water. It’s about taking care of people—setting up a dedicated station with glasses, ice, and simple additions like cucumber or lemon shows your guests you’re thinking about their wellbeing, not just the party agenda.

2. Make everyone feel welcome.

Bathroom Prep
Our manager of production development and strategy, Rosalie Atkinson, adds more practical wisdom that separates amateur hosts from the pros: “Access to a clean bathroom.” This sounds obvious until you’re hosting and realize you forgot to stock hand towels or your bathroom is cluttered with personal items. The move is treating your bathroom like a guest space, not your personal storage unit.

Climate Control
Summer hosting means working with the weather, not against it. Producer Tessa Binsilim’s smart addition to the list: portable fans. For outdoor or partially outdoor spaces, having ways to move air around makes the difference between guests staying comfortable and guests making early exits when the sun intensifies.

Spill Management
Jade Smith, video operations associate, keeps a portable carpet cleaner on hand specifically for parties. Her reasoning: “I don’t want anyone to feel bad if they spill on my carpet or furniture.” This kind of thoughtful preparation creates an atmosphere where people can actually relax and be themselves—which is when the best conversations happen.

3. Keep it simple but memorable.

The Cookie Hack
Again, sometimes the best hosting tricks are the simplest ones. Here’s another tested strategy from Smith: buy pre-made cookie dough ahead of time, then bake fresh cookies throughout the party. It’s such an easy move, but the smell of baking cookies transforms your entire space and creates those warm, welcoming moments that guests remember long after they leave.

Hot Food Station
The grill conversation got surprisingly detailed, with team members discussing everything from full outdoor setups to producer Kassi Post’s George Foreman approach. Maria Nicolosi, sales and brand partnerships manager, even found this compact pizza oven at Macy’s that works for smaller spaces. The common thread: Having some way to serve hot, fresh food elevates any gathering.

Seasonal Approach
If you’re not ready to add “grill master” to your resumé, Nicolosi suggests the addition of a seasonal fruit dessert to compliment the heavier food courses. This aligns with the broader principle of working with what’s naturally good right now rather than forcing complicated menus. She also swears by starting with a classic checkered tablecloth—the kind Macy’s carries that instantly signals “intentional gathering” without trying too hard.

4. Give people something to do.

Cards
When conversation starts to lag, you need something that works for any group size and energy level. “A deck of cards, please and thank you. Goes a long way,” says sales associate Chantal Poitras. Compact, versatile, and effective for filling those natural lulls without forcing anyone into organized fun. Just be sure to learn a game that’s easy to teach—trust us.

Water-Based Activities
Day parties in the heat call for activities that work with the weather rather than against it. Producer Olivia Meade’s suggestions—water balloons, water guns—give people something active to do while keeping everyone cool. It’s permission to be a little silly, a little whimsical, which is exactly what summer gatherings need.

Documentation Strategy
Every gathering needs someone thinking about how to capture the moment. Gigi Esqueda, Dear Media’s content manager who runs our social media, says every great party needs a “dedicated photographer friend to post all the aesthetic details on IG story.” Whether you designate someone for this role or create a simple photo setup, capturing these moments means your guests get to relive the joy later—and share their own stories about the gathering.

5. Curate your drink menu.

Team preferences leaned toward refreshing options with some complexity: Aperol and Hugo spritzes, jalapeño sauvignon blanc, plus the occasional Twisted Tea promises something for everyone. The pattern suggests having 2-3 well-executed options rather than a full bar setup.

For elevated execution, Christie Golden, senior associate campaign manager, says this Ninja slushie machine at Macy’s that adds sophistication to frozen cocktails without requiring bartending skills.

6. Don’t be afraid to go big.

Producer Jackson Brunners’s contributions deserve their own section: camel ride station, fire twirlers, silent disco area featuring only Addison Rae songs, piglet petting zoo. While these fall outside practical hosting advice, they capture something essential about creating memorable experiences—the willingness to surprise and delight, even if your version is more “unexpected playlist choice” than “actual livestock.”

7. Remember what really matters.

The most insightful comment came from producer Kassi Post: No summer evening is complete without “that one friend with an absolutely jaw-dropping piece of gossip to beat to death for three hours.” This captures the real magic of summer entertaining—it’s not about having the perfect setup, but about creating space for the kind of conversations and connections that become the stories worth sharing.

The beautiful glassware, the thoughtful playlist, the perfectly timed fresh cookies—these details matter because they show your guests you care, and they create the backdrop for genuine moments to unfold. At the end of the day, people don’t remember your tablescape; they remember how you made them feel.

Shop more summer entertaining essentials at macys.com.